Bartender shot on the west side

Confrontation occurs in parking lot at Anchor Inn

Confrontation occurs in parking lot at Anchor Inn

SOUTH BEND Â? A bartender was shot in the leg late Monday by a man who was attempting to break into his customersÂ? vehicles, police said.

About 10:45 p.m., South Bend police were dispatched to the Anchor Inn, 2224 W. Western Ave., where they found Bill Finn lying in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to his left leg

According to witnesses, Finn was tending bar when he witnessed on the businessÂ?s closed-circuit television monitor a person outside attempting to break into vehicles in the parking lot on the east side of the building.

When Finn ran outside to confront the man, witnesses said, the shooter pulled a gun and fired, striking Finn in the leg.

Dave Rick of Wyatt was one of several people who ran outside with Finn.

Â?Bill got right up on the guy and the guy pulls a gun,Â? Rick said. Â?He (Finn) takes off running and I take off running and he gets shot.Â?

Rick said he heard at least two shots. Other witnesses reported hearing as many as six.

Shawn Smith of Lakeville also followed Finn outside. He said that just as he was rounding the corner of the building he heard gunfire and saw Finn fall in the parking lot. He said he ducked back behind the corner to take cover, and then ran to Finn after it was safe.

Several other people who followed Finn outside retreated to the bar after shots were fired.

Â?Everybody said, Â?Shut the door, shut the door and lock it!Â?Â? said Joshua Abrell of Lakeville, who barely made it out the front door before running back inside.

Abrell said that from the kitchen where he was hiding he could hear Finn screaming outside.

The shooter reportedly ran east through an alley behind the building. Police said a K-9 tracked him for a few blocks, but then lost the scent.

Finn was taken to a hospital. His injuries, which included a dislocated right knee, were not life-threatening, police said.

MondayÂ?s shooting was the ninth in South Bend in as many days, resulting in three deaths. Another person was stabbed to death during the same period.